January 7, 2026 – A consumer has reported a dangerous incident involving a Mainstays brand candle purchased from Walmart, where the candle reportedly exploded during normal use. The incident resulted in minor facial burns to the user and damage to their ceiling, raising significant safety concerns about the product.
Product Details
Incident Overview
According to the incident report dated December 15, 2025, the consumer purchased a Mainstays candle from Walmart and was burning it in strict adherence to the provided instructions. The candle had been lit for approximately 45 minutes and was about half full, placed on what was described as a stable and appropriate surface.
Without any prior warning, the candle reportedly exploded, violently propelling hot wax across the room. The immediate consequences included damage to the consumer’s ceiling and minor burns to their face from the hot wax. The consumer emphasized the extreme danger of the incident, noting the potential for more severe injuries, a fire, or worse, particularly if children or pets had been present. The user stated they followed all safety instructions and did not engage in any unusual or improper actions, suggesting a potential product defect or serious safety failure.
Safety Concerns
This incident highlights several critical safety concerns associated with the Mainstays candle:
- Immediate Dangers: The primary immediate danger is the risk of burns from violently splattering hot wax. The reported facial burns demonstrate this direct hazard. Such an explosion could also cause eye injuries or burns to other sensitive areas of the body.
- Fire Hazard: An exploding candle, particularly one ejecting molten wax, poses a significant fire risk. Hot wax could ignite flammable materials in the vicinity, leading to a house fire, property destruction, and further injury.
- Property Damage: The reported damage to the ceiling indicates the force and spread of the incident, underscoring the potential for significant property damage beyond direct burns.
- Unpredictability and Lack of Warning: The report notes the explosion occurred “without any warning,” making this a particularly insidious hazard. Consumers cannot anticipate or prevent such an event, even when following instructions.
- Vulnerable Populations: The consumer correctly pointed out the heightened risk to children and pets, who may not be able to react quickly or understand the danger, potentially leading to more severe injuries.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a Mainstays brand candle, especially one purchased from Walmart, and have concerns based on this report:
- Discontinue Use Immediately: If you have this product or one like it and are concerned, it is advisable to stop using it immediately.
- Inspect and Preserve: Do not discard the candle if it has been involved in an incident. Preserve the product and any packaging or instructions as they may be crucial for an investigation. Document any damage or injuries with photographs.
- Seek Medical Attention: If you or anyone else has sustained burns or injuries, seek appropriate medical attention promptly.
- Contact the Manufacturer/Retailer: Reach out to Walmart Stores Inc. (the manufacturer) and Walmart (the retailer) to report your experience and inquire about their investigation into this incident.
- Report to Safety Authorities: File a report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.saferproducts.gov. This helps safety authorities track incidents and identify potential trends.
- Review Candle Safety: Always follow all manufacturer instructions for candle use. Ensure candles are placed on stable, heat-resistant surfaces, away from flammable materials, drafts, and out of reach of children and pets. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Manufacturer’s Response
Walmart Stores Inc., the manufacturer, has acknowledged receipt of the incident report. The consumer specifically requested documentation of the incident, a refund or replacement, and a review and investigation of the product for safety issues. Further details regarding Walmart’s specific actions to address these concerns are pending.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.